Anyone had success with fuel injector cleaners ? Or should I stay away from them ?

cstavaru · 06-16-2010, 04:08 PM

Hi,

EDIT: BMW sells it's own fuel system cleaner - part number 82140413341 ! It's Chevron Techron though.

I am thinking of using some fuel injector cleaner prior to my HPFP replacement, and also replacing the fuel filter just to "start fresh".

My question is, do the fuel injector cleaners work ? Do they clean potentially clogged injectors without doing any other engine/fuel system damage ? Do you have a recommended brand ?

Thanks !

Jonny550 · 06-16-2010, 04:24 PM

i think someone has done this before with nothing really to shout about as far as results.

dzenno · 06-16-2010, 04:27 PM

Won't hurt..

Spydeputy · 06-16-2010, 06:10 PM

i use Lucas Octane Boost to every other tank.
it allows the gas to burn slower and more efficiently.
plus it lubricates the fuel parts like the HPFP.
can't go wrong there.
hwy. gas mileage increased almost 2 mpg.

blacknbean · 06-16-2010, 07:02 PM

bottle of techron wont hurt

I335 · 06-16-2010, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spydeputy

i use Lucas Octane Boost to every other tank.
it allows the gas to burn slower and more efficiently.
plus it lubricates the fuel parts like the HPFP.
can't go wrong there.
hwy. gas mileage increased almost 2 mpg.

Are you sure you're not sipping off the bottle too?

cstavaru · 06-17-2010, 04:28 AM

Got it...found out that BMW sells its own fuel system cleaner under the part number 82140413341. It's Chevron Techron

Alexander · 06-17-2010, 09:40 AM

We have DI, therefore fuel injector cleaner will not work. This topic has been discussed numerous times. The solution though is spraying sea foam into a vacuum hose behind the air box, keep rpm's at 2000 spray the can, keep motor idling for 5 minutes. Shut off the motor, let it sit, then drive the living shit out of it. White smoke should spew from the tailpipes.

cstavaru · 06-17-2010, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aonarch

We have DI, therefore fuel injector cleaner will not work. This topic has been discussed numerous times.

Why wouldn't it work ? Can't see a reason for this. Since the gas (albeit not pre-mixed with air) passes through the injectors, it should clean them...

Could you point me to a thread where this issue has been discussed ?

Jed · 06-17-2010, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aonarch

We have DI, therefore fuel injector cleaner will not work. This topic has been discussed numerous times. The solution though is spraying sea foam into a vacuum hose behind the air box, keep rpm's at 2000 spray the can, keep motor idling for 5 minutes. Shut off the motor, let it sit, then drive the living shit out of it. White smoke should spew from the tailpipes.

Are you sure about that? Sounds like you're talking about the ineffectiveness of using valve cleaner through the gas tank, where it won't work because of how DI works.

Anyway to the OP, one cleaner that I use is Ventil Sauber by LubroMoly. It's designed for cleaning valves (which, again, isn't effective with DI) and injectors. I've used it on my E30, E36 and my E92. There had been successful tests in European Car magazine on it in the past.

David1 · 06-17-2010, 11:15 AM

You can not clean a DI injector. They fail because the ethanol in the fuel ruins the internals (the many flat discs contained within) of the injector and then the electronics fail.

cstavaru · 06-17-2010, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David1

You can not clean a DI injector. They fail because the ethanol in the fuel ruins the internals (the many flat discs contained within) of the injector and then the electronics fail.

I think that you cannot clean the valves, but you can clean the injectors.

Jed · 06-17-2010, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David1

You can not clean a DI injector. They fail because the ethanol in the fuel ruins the internals (the many flat discs contained within) of the injector and then the electronics fail.

So if ethanol is being delivered in the fuel and it ruins the internals, why can't injector cleaner, also being delivered in the fuel, help to clean? Ethanol issue aside, wouldn't it help for any kind of build up? What is it about the construction of a DI injector makes cleaner ineffective but makes it suseptible to ethanol damage?

Not trying to be a smart a$$, just trying to understand, so TIA.

cstavaru · 06-17-2010, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jed

So if ethanol is being delivered in the fuel and it ruins the internals, why can't injector cleaner, also being delivered in the fuel, help to clean? Ethanol issue aside, wouldn't it help for any kind of build up? What is it about the construction of a DI injector makes cleaner ineffective but makes it suseptible to ethanol damage?

Not trying to be a smart a$$, just trying to understand, so TIA.

Just looked at the Techron site, http://www.techron.com . They say it also works for direct injection engines.

Jed · 06-17-2010, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cstavaru

Just looked at the Techron site, http://www.techron.com . They say it also works for direct injection engines.

Thanks cstavaru. I figure it would. I can't see why it wouldn't help somewhat. I mean, so far we've gotten explanations on why it fails and how to clean valves. LOL!

dzenno · 06-17-2010, 01:44 PM

Of course it'll go through fuel injectors..this guy is thinking of valves and cleaning out carbon build up

cstmx_ryder · 06-17-2010, 02:08 PM

I don't think BMW would sell it if it's useless, no?

That would have answered all the questions right there.

Jed · 06-17-2010, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cstmx_ryder

I don't think BMW would sell it if it's useless, no?

Such an opening for so many jokes on that line!

David1 · 06-17-2010, 02:20 PM

Our injectors are not failing because they are dirty, they are having electronic issues. To high of an ethanol % eats away the many chrystal disks that are in a Piezo DI injector. Once the disks are damaged, flow through the injector is hampered and this can not be cleaned. This is physical failure.

David1 · 06-17-2010, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cstavaru

Just looked at the Techron site, http://www.techron.com . They say it also works for direct injection engines.

It wont hurt a DI injector, but it will not clean a Piezo injector that BMW uses. If they were cleanable, There would be a cleaning procedure to try before replacement. Once a piezo injector starts to break down, it's done.

cstmx_ryder · 06-17-2010, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jed

Such an opening for so many jokes on that line!

Ya I know......LOL. I think it will work, but how well, well that's another story, especially coming from BMW, there! hahaha

Jed · 06-17-2010, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David1

Our injectors are not failing because they are dirty, they are having electronic issues. To high of an ethanol % eats away the many chrystal disks that are in a Piezo DI injector. Once the disks are damaged, flow through the injector is hampered and this can not be cleaned. This is physical failure.

Cool. Thanks for the explanation, David!

06-16-2010, 04:08 PM	#1
cstavaru Brigadier General 328 Rep 3,262 Posts Drives: 2009 335i M Sport Sedan 6MT Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bucharest, Romania iTrader: (0)	Anyone had success with fuel injector cleaners ? Or should I stay away from them ? Hi, EDIT: BMW sells it's own fuel system cleaner - part number 82140413341 ! It's Chevron Techron though. I am thinking of using some fuel injector cleaner prior to my HPFP replacement, and also replacing the fuel filter just to "start fresh". My question is, do the fuel injector cleaners work ? Do they clean potentially clogged injectors without doing any other engine/fuel system damage ? Do you have a recommended brand ? Thanks ! __________________ Mods(click): Cobb + RB Turbos \| Aquamist HFS-4 Meth \| Drexler LSD \| Bilstein B12 Pro-Kit \| Custom K&N Apollo Intake \| Wagner Intercooler \| Macht Schnell Downpipes \| BMW Performance Power Kit \| BMW Performance Exhaust \| BMW Performance Short Shifter \| M3 Subframe Bushings \| Last edited by cstavaru; 06-17-2010 at 04:27 AM..
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06-16-2010, 04:24 PM	#2
Jonny550 Brigadier General 263 Rep 4,936 Posts Drives: 2012 550i Xdrive Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Jersey Shore iTrader: (14)	i think someone has done this before with nothing really to shout about as far as results. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] .
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06-16-2010, 04:27 PM	#3
dzenno Banned 287 Rep 5,876 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2006 iTrader: (1)	Won't hurt..
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06-16-2010, 06:10 PM	#4
Spydeputy Brigadier General 211 Rep 3,523 Posts Drives: 2015 F23 M235i/2008,E90,335xi Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: The County, Maryland iTrader: (19) Garage List 2017 X5 M Sport Pac ... [0.00] 2015 M235i, F23 [0.00]	I use Lucas Octane Boost i use Lucas Octane Boost to every other tank. it allows the gas to burn slower and more efficiently. plus it lubricates the fuel parts like the HPFP. can't go wrong there. hwy. gas mileage increased almost 2 mpg. Last edited by Spydeputy; 03-04-2011 at 07:52 AM..
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06-16-2010, 07:02 PM	#5
blacknbean Major 14 Rep 1,044 Posts Drives: e92 335i 6MT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: LA iTrader: (2)	bottle of techron wont hurt
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06-17-2010, 04:28 AM	#7
cstavaru Brigadier General 328 Rep 3,262 Posts Drives: 2009 335i M Sport Sedan 6MT Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bucharest, Romania iTrader: (0)	Got it...found out that BMW sells its own fuel system cleaner under the part number 82140413341. It's Chevron Techron Attached Images __________________ Mods(click): Cobb + RB Turbos \| Aquamist HFS-4 Meth \| Drexler LSD \| Bilstein B12 Pro-Kit \| Custom K&N Apollo Intake \| Wagner Intercooler \| Macht Schnell Downpipes \| BMW Performance Power Kit \| BMW Performance Exhaust \| BMW Performance Short Shifter \| M3 Subframe Bushings \|
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06-17-2010, 09:40 AM	#8
Alexander Mad tyte EuR0 style boooi <--- Joke 222 Rep 2,472 Posts Drives: E30, E85, MKVI Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Deal's Gap iTrader: (0)	We have DI, therefore fuel injector cleaner will not work. This topic has been discussed numerous times. The solution though is spraying sea foam into a vacuum hose behind the air box, keep rpm's at 2000 spray the can, keep motor idling for 5 minutes. Shut off the motor, let it sit, then drive the living shit out of it. White smoke should spew from the tailpipes.
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06-17-2010, 11:15 AM	#11
David1 Brigadier General 948 Rep 4,039 Posts Drives: 09 E92 09 X5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (1)	You can not clean a DI injector. They fail because the ethanol in the fuel ruins the internals (the many flat discs contained within) of the injector and then the electronics fail. __________________ 2021 M2 Comp Sunset Orange \|Black with orange Stitching Dakota Leather\|Executive Pkg\|DCT
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06-17-2010, 01:44 PM	#16
dzenno Banned 287 Rep 5,876 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2006 iTrader: (1)	Of course it'll go through fuel injectors..this guy is thinking of valves and cleaning out carbon build up
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06-17-2010, 02:08 PM	#17
cstmx_ryder Colonel 173 Rep 2,875 Posts Drives: A metal box with a roundel Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (2)	I don't think BMW would sell it if it's useless, no? That would have answered all the questions right there. __________________ '08 AW E90 335i PROcede V5 \| BMS DCI \| RR DPs \| ETS FMIC \| FORGE DVs \| Stett CP \| Vanguard \| PSS10
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06-17-2010, 02:20 PM	#19
David1 Brigadier General 948 Rep 4,039 Posts Drives: 09 E92 09 X5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (1)	Our injectors are not failing because they are dirty, they are having electronic issues. To high of an ethanol % eats away the many chrystal disks that are in a Piezo DI injector. Once the disks are damaged, flow through the injector is hampered and this can not be cleaned. This is physical failure. __________________ 2021 M2 Comp Sunset Orange \|Black with orange Stitching Dakota Leather\|Executive Pkg\|DCT
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